1 Samuel 11 – Study

For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: 1 Sam 11:1-11

1 Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh Gilead. And all the men of Jabesh said to him, ‘Make a treaty with us, and we will be subject to you.’

2 But Nahash the Ammonite replied, ‘I will make a treaty with you only on the condition that I gouge out the right eye of every one of you and so bring disgrace on all Israel.’

3 The elders of Jabesh said to him, ‘Give us seven days so that we can send messengers throughout Israel; if no one comes to rescue us, we will surrender to you.’

4 When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and reported these terms to the people, they all wept aloud. 5 Just then Saul was returning from the fields, behind his oxen, and he asked, ‘What is wrong with everyone? Why are they weeping?’ Then they repeated to him what the men of Jabesh had said.

6 When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger. 7 He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel, proclaiming, ‘This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel.’ Then the terror of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out together as one. 8 When Saul mustered them at Bezek, the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and those of Judah thirty thousand.

9 They told the messengers who had come, ‘Say to the men of Jabesh Gilead, “By the time the sun is hot tomorrow, you will be rescued.”’ When the messengers went and reported this to the men of Jabesh, they were elated. 10 They said to the Ammonites, ‘Tomorrow we will surrender to you, and you can do to us whatever you like.’

11 The next day Saul separated his men into three divisions; during the last watch of the night they broke into the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

A. Find Out:

1. Who suggested a treaty? v.1
2. What response did they get? v.2
3. What was the response of the people? v.4
4. What released righteous anger in Saul? v.6
5. Why did the people gather to Saul? v.7
6. What was the outcome? v.11

B. Think:

1. What do you think SHOULD have been the action of the people of Jabesh Gilead?
2. How is the Lord seen to be in what is going on?
3. What part did Saul have to play never the less?

C. Comment:

     Jabesh was attacked by an enemy apparently too great for them, and they made the mistake of trying to bargain with the enemy. They soon see that the price for their lives is partial blindness and disgrace.   We, too, need to realise that we can’t bargain with Satan or compromise with the world!

    What the people should have done was call on the Lord and send for the Lord’s anointed, Saul.  As it was, the word of their plight spread and came to Saul’s ears.  At that point Saul could have just shrugged his shoulders and left them to their plight, but instead, because the Spirit of God was upon him, righteous anger burst forth from him and with great authority he called all Israel to respond. As he did this, the Lord moved and great fear came upon all the people, from the Lord, so that large numbers flocked to his side. Note the Lord’s involvement in all of this, to help Saul.

     Thus it was that Saul led his people on his first conquest of an enemy, and the result was quite clear cut.  Note the Lord called and equipped Saul but Saul had to respond to fight against the enemy. Our enemies are not to be fought physically but they can be overcome by with the love and grace and goodness of God (see Romans 12:20,21).

D. Application?

1. When the enemy seem too great for us, do we try to compromise for survival or cry for the Lord?
2. With the power of the Holy Spirit within us, things can be changed.

Passage: 1 Sam 11:12-15

12 The people then said to Samuel, ‘Who was it that asked, “Shall Saul reign over us?” Turn these men over to us so that we may put them to death.’

13 But Saul said, ‘No one will be put to death today, for this day the Lord has rescued Israel.’

14 Then Samuel said to the people, ‘Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingship.’ 15 So all the people went to Gilgal and made Saul king in the presence of the Lord. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings before the Lord, and Saul and all the Israelites held a great celebration.

A. Find Out:    

1. What did the people want to do? v.12
2. Why did Saul say no to this? v.13
3. Why did Samuel say to go to Gilgal? v.14
4. Where did they confirm Saul king? v.15a
5. What else did they do? v.15b

B. Think:

1. What sort of spirit did the men of Israel first have?
2. What was Saul acknowledging?
3. Why was this ceremony reaffirming kingship different to what had gone before?

C. Comment:

     Another significant passage in Saul’s history! First of all some of the people, possibly wanting to declare their loyalty to Saul publicly, suggest the killing of those who had not accepted Saul as king previously. Note they say this to Samuel, but it is Saul who steps in as king and decides. His response is good! It is one of mercy and it also acknowledges for the first time the hand of God in his affairs. Saul acknowledges that the Lord was the one who rescued Israel.

     As if in response to this statement of faith, Samuel suggests they go and confirm Saul as king before God. Previously the people hadn’t wanted to know anything about the Lord but now they are willing to respond and establish this new king before the Lord. With sacrifices and great celebration they acclaim Saul as king before God. With a start like this to Saul’s kingdom, the future should be good. Sadly, despite all the encouragement from the Lord, Saul is going to fail.   He is just another example of sinful man who, without the Lord, continues to go astray.

D. Application?

1. A position can be strengthened either by destroying those who oppose us, or by submitting our role to God for Him to reaffirm it.  We need to choose.
2. God looks for grace and mercy in all his servants.
3. Success today doesn’t guarantee it for tomorrow.